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Pregnancy: Hand Changes

Topic Overview

Mild swelling of your
hands may be caused by the normal buildup of fluid during pregnancy.

Red, itchy palms and soles of the feet are
caused by changing hormone levels. The symptoms go away after delivery.
Moisturizers may give some relief.

An occasional pins-and-needles sensation may occur in the hands for no
obvious reason. It is not known why this occurs in pregnant women, but it
usually is not a cause for concern. Sometimes changing position helps relieve
symptoms.

Numbness and pain that occur in
your thumb, index finger, middle finger, or half of your ring finger may be
caused by
carpal tunnel syndrome. This condition is more common
during pregnancy because the normal buildup of fluid puts pressure on nerves in
your wrist. Symptoms usually go away after pregnancy.

Swelling also can be a more serious sign of preeclampsia, a
problem related to pregnancy. For more information, see the topic
Pregnancy-Related Problems. Swelling of your hands during pregnancy may be more
serious when you have other symptoms, such as:

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